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Friday, April 16, 2010

me at forty-three and a giveaway....

Blogging has been challenging for me at times. I have never been one to "toot my own horn", so to speak or reveal too much personal information. I think I have ever only posted a single picture of myself on this blog. I would much rather post pictures like the one above of my own living room as well as other interiors I find inspirational.

But, here I am today, at 43!

Yep, it's my birthday tomorrow. I really do gulp when I say I am turning 43!

Do I feel 43? Hell no!

Do I look 43? I would like to think not, but those lines around my eyes give me away!

Am I wiser at 43? Yes!

Happier? Yes!

Do I sweat the "small stuff" like I used to ? NO WAY, it's a waste of time.

Am I comfortable "in my own skin"? Absolutely!

For the most part, I am content. Sure, I have 10 pounds to lose, second career ambitions, travel dreams, relationships and friendships that I wish to deepen etc...but for the most part 43 feels pretty darn good.

One of my favorite stores, Anthropologie sends a 15% off card to their loyal customers (which I happen to be!)for their birthday. Today I visited my Anthro store to stock up on some new spring clothes and put that discount card to good use.

Because I feel fortunate to have so many great women readers of my blog - and to celebrate all of YOU on my birthday, I also picked up this adorable salt/pepper/mustard set from Anthro and decided to host a total improptou giveaway!

Rules are as follows:

First, leave me a comment! I would love to hear how you feel about growing older and if you are more content now than when you were "younger".

Second, I will enter your name twice if you are a follower or become a follower of my blog!

Third, I will enter you a third time if you post about my little ol' birthday giveaway on your blog!

The giveaway will end on Sunday and winner will be announced on Monday! Good luck!

Look at how cute you are! Happy Birthday, Jill!I am just a few weeks away from turning 49 (for the first time) and having mixed emotions. Daughter's off to college so I'm free to pursue whatever it is I want to do with my time now... if I can just figure out what that is and how to go about it. Shifting my priorities (from hers to my own) has been more daunting than I expected. That's the best advice I can give you... to keep yourself in mind while you're minding your children. It's easy to get a little lost.Thanks for the reminder that I'll be getting a b'day card from Anthro! That takes the sting away from any birthday, no matter how big the number!Hope you have lots of fun plans for your b'day weekend!

Happy Birthday Jill! Thanks for sharing the photo as it is always nice to connect a face to your name and blog. You do look young too.

I turned 45 this week and although the number looks and sounds odd to my eyes/ears, I am much more content and happy with myself now than at a younger age. You said it so well! A few more than 10 pounds to lose here, but I AM more comfortable in my skin now than ever. I like who I am.

I am only 23 but I dread getting older. Mainly because there is so much to figure out at my age...I don't have as much wisdom as some of yall :) There is a lot of stress and responsibility for me right now and it grows with each year.

It's nice to read that eventually that will subside and I will be much more comfortable with myself and my life.

Anyways... Thanks for the giveaway! I hope you have a fabulous birthday!

I am a brand new follower of your blog! I love it! I will be turning 48 this year and as of 1 month ago, an empty nester. Enjoy your kids while they are there, they tend to go away too fast. Have a very Happy Birthday and I will be posting your giveaway on my blog.

Happy Birthday!! You look stunning! :) Looove Anthro and love shopping their sales. I turned thirty this year and I'd say I am much more content now. I still have plenty of learning to do, but I'm much happier now than in my teens/twenties.

Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway! Had my eye on that set for a while. :)

hi Jill - happy birthday! I'm now 42, which also is weird when I see it in print or say it outloud. I'm not sure how old I "feel", but I know that I am so comfortable in my own skin now, than I ever have been before. I look at twenty-somethings and long for their fabulous legs, but I am so grateful that those years are over - I don't miss the drama that came with dating, finding the right career, etc. The 40's are a great place to be!

Happy Birthday to you and to looking "forever young." Beauty radiates from within...I had a big birthday and I think part of loving growing older is realizing that when we give freely, we open ourselves, and our hearts to live better. This can only be learned from living and growing! I have always embraced every age.Thanks for the kind giveaway for my 1st comment and now I will follow you.pve

Happy Birthday! I'm a new follower as well. Enjoy your blog. I'm local here in the Twin Cities & love following a blog that isn't in Australia or LA or Houston :)(although I love Joni, Anna and Megan!) I'm MUCH wiser at 38, much calmer, happier than ever & with 2 girls under 3 I really feel like 28! - Jen / "Jenafwa" on Twitter

Happy Birthday and you look fabulous! I look at age as just a number, nothing more than that and I do enjoy life more the older I get.Love Anthro and you are so lucky to get a discount every now and then.Sylvia

oh, and I'm a happy follower ;) and right now I'm off to take a nap, because although I think I'm still relatively young, I have a 2 year old, which completely wears me out! So when I go to bed at 8:50pm, I feel like I'm about 84.....Jen @ www.homesweetseattle.blogspot.com

Happy Happy Birthday to my new found blogger!Your profile sounds like your my long lost twin (if you wish that to be true then you would only be 40!!) ... I lived in the Twin Cities for the past 10 years until a wonderful job caught our wind again. We love Minnesota!! I hope you will enjoy your new home and surroundings and maybe even get to stay awhile! Lisa

Jill, You are precious and so very talented! I, too, feel much younger than my 42 years...and also wiser....My girlfriends and I feel that our 40's are going to be the GREAT YEARS! Glad you are part of it!